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New commercial development in the works for west Ceres
• New project consists of four stand alone buildings
Whitmore project
This drawing shows how the proposed commercial buildings will be strung along the south side of E. Whitmore Avenue and east of Dutch Bros.

A developer is proposing to build a “shopping center” with four standalone commercial buildings on nearly four acres along Whitmore Avenue on the west side of Ceres.

The proposed development, named the Ceres E. Whitmore Shopping Center Project, would consist of a mix of commercial uses, including two fast-food restaurants, a multi-tenant retail building and a quick oil-change center. If approved and developed the project will be constructed between the Dutch Bros coffee kiosk to the west and Mister Car Wash to the east.

The development is intended to provide additional retail, restaurant and service options along the Whitmore Avenue corridor while maintaining compatibility with surrounding commercial and residential uses.

The project consists of:

  • A 6,786-square-foot multi-tenant retail building with 34 parking stalls.
  • A 2,794-square-foot, 56-seat fast-food restaurant with a drive-through and 29 parking stalls.
  • A 1,282-square-foot quick oil-change service facility with 8 parking stalls.
  • A 2,361-square-foot, 56-seat fast-food restaurant with a drive-through and 32 parking stalls

The city’s website includes a 255-page environmental review document complete with traffic study.

To build the project, the developer must seek a General Plan Amendment (GPA) and rezoning of the property from Office (O) uses and zoned Planned Community-Administrative Professional (PC-AP) to Community Commercial (C-2).

Still absent on the west side of Ceres is a grocery store for which Councilwoman Rosalinda Vierra has been clamoring. The largest of the four buildings is too small for a grocery store, noted Vierra, who represents the west side of Ceres in District 2.

“The other concern is the residents on Moonlight have expressed concerns about possible noise with large delivery trucks,” said Vierra. “They specifically stated they did not want diesels along the back sound wall. As a result, it does limit the options.”

The councilwoman noted that G3 is working on submitting plans for two anchor stores on Crows landing Road at Whitmore Avenue.

“They are currently working on lease agreements and have not released any Letters of Intent yet. We do anticipate those plans moving forward as soon as the lift station on Crows landing and Service completed. They did state they reached out to WinCo who declined at this time. I am hoping they are able to come to lease agreement with another grocery store.”

If it becomes a reality, the four buildings would fill out the last remaining vacant space along Whitmore Avenue. To the east are a McDonald’s, Flyer’s Gas Station and Mister Car Wash. To the west of the site are a Dutch Bros, O’Reilly’s Auto Parts and a Dollar General.